The Atlanta Braves selected outfielder Conor Essenburg from Lincoln-Way West High School in the 2025 MLB Draft. He is a talented player known for his big power and bat speed, with potential as a future pitcher. Essenburg has shown good contact skills, highlighted by an impressive opposite field home run against a 103 MPH pitcher. The Braves focused on strengthening their position player depth in this draft, taking a calculated risk on Essenburg who could excel with continued focus on hitting.
Connor Essenburg is a talented two-way player from an Illinois high school who is being drafted as a bat. He's up to 94 and projectable as a pitcher, but it’s the big righty power and bat speed that drew the Braves in.
He’s got good feel for contact, so he isn’t an all power bat - and more contact ability could come as he focuses in on hitting full time. One moment that will be remembered is hitting an opposite field homer off of 103 MPH prep lefty Jack Bauer this year.
The Braves are clearly targeting their position player depth this draft, and they add a major high ceiling talent late in the draft. There was a question if Essenburg would pitch or hit, and a question if he would go pro or not, but if he was taken this high the Braves have a deal worked out.
It’s going to be an expensive risk for them, but they have a big talent that should have a chance to excel now that he is focusing on one side of the ball.
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